Events: Arizona Cocktail Weekend

The 8th annual Arizona Cocktail Weekend (AZCW) is proud to announce an exciting schedule of can't miss cocktail concerts, competitions and more is coming to Downtown Phoenix this February 16 - 18, 2019, highlighted by three annual headline events:

* The Cocktail Jam - Saturday, February 16 (8pm - 2 am)

* Top Bars - Sunday, February 17 (8pm - 2 am)

* Last Slinger Standing - Monday, February 18 (doors open at 6:30 pm)

Plus, the 2019 AZCW will also feature dozens of informative seminars, exclusive tastings, festive pool parties and more to be announced shortly, including the return of "The Monkey Mixer, aka a full-sized concrete truck that was transformed into the World's Largest Cocktail Shaker dispensing 2,400 gallons of Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky.

The Cocktail Jam (8pm - 2 am)

The 2019 Arizona Cocktail Weekend kicks off on Saturday, February 16 with The CocktailJam, a music-meets-mixology party featuring Phoenix's own national touring artist, DJ Z-Trip (best known for touring and performing at the Grammys with LL Cool J) and hosted at The Van Buren. Pre-sale tickets are $40++ per person ($50 at the door) and include admission to the show as well as 10 cocktails samples, or skip the service fees and pick up your tickets in person at Stinkweeds (12 W. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix, 602-248-9461, www.stinkweeds.com).

Top Bars, Sunday, February 18 (8pm - 2 am)

On Sunday, February 17, it's the return of Top Bars showcasing pop-up versions of renowned lounges from around the state, country and across the globe, all in one location. Hosted at historic warehouse turned hip event venue, The Croft, confirmed 2019 participants include imports: Bar Swift (London), Bar X (SLC), Deadshot (Portland), Dr. Stravinsky (Barcelona, Spain), Golden Tiki (LV), Herbs & Rye (LV), Katana Kitten (NYC), Arnaud's French 75 (NO), Nickel City (Austin), Navy Strength (Seattle), Occidental (Denver), Raised By Wolves (SD), The Clumsies (Athens, GA), Sparrow & Wolf (LV), Tommy's (SF), Ghost Donkey (LV), Union Lodge No. 1 (Denver) and Williams & Graham (Denver), plus Arizona landmarks: Bitter & Twisted, Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, Clever Koi, Cotton & Copper, Elvira's, Hotel Congress, Pobrecito, The Breadfruit, The Brickyard, The Gladly and UnderTow. Pre-sale tickets are $40++ ($50 at the door), including cocktail samples.

Last Slinger Standing, Monday, February 19 (doors open at 6:30 pm)

On President's Day, the Last Slinger Standing bartending competition will host top US Bartending Guild mixologists from across the Southwest inside 7th & Union at Young's Market Company. Come cheer on as AZ's best (including 2018 champion Joshua James of Clever Koi, Fellow & Across The Pond) compete against the best bartenders from Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. Free to attend, but RSVP is required.

Tickets to Arizona Cocktail Weekend are on sale now. Visit www.arizonacocktailweekend.com for tickets and more information.

Where: Various locations across Downtown Phoenix, including ...

• 7th & Union at Young's Market Company

• Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

• Blue Hound & Luster Rooftop Pool Bar

• Bar Bianco

• Chico Malo

• Dust Cutter & Melinda's Alley at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel

• Nook Kitchen

• Pobrecito

• Portland Parkway Park

• Province Urban Kitchen & Bar

• The Breadfruit & Rum Bar

• The Croft

• The Larder + The Delta

• The Sazerac

• The Van Buren

Giving Back

The Arizona Cocktail Weekend is also dedicated to giving back to the local community, including its own dedicated 501(c3) charity, The Jupiter Foundation, which in 2019 is focused on supporting beneficiaries, Local First Arizona Foundation and Child Crisis Arizona.